Message by Josh Mutter – August 31, 2025
Galatians 5:22-23a (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
BIG IDEA: Self-control helps us discern God’s best for our lives. The true measure of following Jesus is whether the Spirit’s fruit is growing in us.
Self-control is the Spirit’s power helping us master our desires and impulses, so that we become more like Jesus.
BENEFITS OF SELF-CONTROL
- Self-control gives us space to pause before reacting.
- Self-control helps us manage our desires in healthy ways.
- Self-control keeps our choices aligned with what matters most.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
KEY INSIGHTS
- Self-control means being intentional.
- Self-control means saying “no.”
- Self-control means training and enduring.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
- The Holy Spirit creates space through pauses for better decisions.
- Followers of Jesus should be comfortable saying “no.”
You can listen to the sermon on YouTube here.
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